In its latest statistics, the Home Office said there were 2,900 applications in July, down from a high of 16,200 in July 2023.

The number of health and care worker dependants also fell by 76% year-on-year from 21,600 to 5,100.

New visa restrictions were announced by former home secretary James Cleverly in December 2023 after immigration reached record levels.

Labour home secretary Yvette Cooper announced her support for the restrictions on 30 July 2024.

Numbers were down by 78% on a year-to-date basis over the first seven months to 21,000 from 96,300 in 2023.

Caroline Waterfield, director of development and employment at NHS Employers, said: ‘We have been keeping an eye on the numbers of health worker visa applications over the last few months and listening to employers to ensure that policy and processes still enable employers to use international recruitment, where this is needed. 

‘While there are seasonal peaks and dips in activity to take into account, we continue to be concerned that the overseas recruitment and retention strategies for social care could be hampered by the inability of potential new applicants to be joined by their family. 

‘Making sure the health and social care sectors have the right workforce for now and the future is not just about overseas recruitment, we must do as much as we can to retain our existing staff and continue to reach out into communities to inspire and attract new people to work with us.'

A Home Office spokesperson said: ‘We have set out a clear plan to bring down historically high levels of legal migration by tackling the root causes behind high international recruitment. By linking immigration, labour market, and skills systems we will ensure we train up our homegrown workforce and address the shortage of skills.

‘Immigration brings many benefits to the UK, but it must be controlled and delivered through a fair system.'